Stars beat writer Mike Heika answered questions in a chat on Thursday. Here are some highlights.

From up in here in the northeast, I watch a lot of NYR, BOS, PHL, NJD games. I don't see the Stars matching up with these types of teams (imagining if they played in the East). I would support your want for a trade to potentially increase the physicality of the Stars, is that even possible under GM Joe?

Sure, anything is possible. I've had this discussion with some e-mailers, who want to just load up on physical players. Good teams have a mix. Chicago has great skill, and can still bring physicality. LA has tremendous top six depth, but it was the size in the bottom six that got to teams in the playoffs last year. Boston tends to be more physical, but still has room for skill. It takes a good mix, so just adding a couple of different players and allowing the kids to develop could be enough to make this team a handful in a year or two. They have a good start, a good foundation, but it is up to Joe Nieuwendyk to make good decisions in doing the finish carpentry..

If the Stars were to decide at some point that Gulutzen isn't the guy, then do they bring in Desjardins, given his rousing success this year in Cedar Park, or do they go for a veteran NHL head coach at that point?

I think they would have to go with a hard-nosed veteran NHL coach, but that's just a guess. I just think teams usually go in a different direction when they make a coaching move, because the whole thing is designed to shake things up.

Mike, from what I've heard, lot of class acts on the team this year. If you had to pick (and you do) who are two or three of your favorite players to interview/talk with? Fistric always seemed like a great guy, for one.

I would say Eric Nystrom is a lot of fun to talk to. Brenden Dillon and Cody Eakin are great among the kids. Jaromir Jagr gives you great insight every time you talk to him. But if you ever want to get into deep, philosophical talk about hockey, Ray Whitney is your guy. He is knowledgeable and intense. By the way, Fistric was always fun, and Steve Ott was a laugh riot every day.

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